However, it is looking to increase revenue through $26.5m in fees and charges.

Charge increases include; a 20 per cent hike in the cost of supplying a new organic bin, disposal fees at Eaglehawk Landfill up $5/tonne to $170/t, including a 94 per cent jump in mattress disposal costs at the site.

Planning application charges to change or allow a new use of land (Class 1), have skyrocketed 147.15 per cent from last year to $1,240.70, however this change is a directive of the state government.

Daily parking charges are up 30 cents per day in Zone 1 areas, while long day care charges will jump $15 per week.

Rates and charges will account for 57 per cent of councils overall $192m revenue – up 6 per cent on last year.

A $58.4 capital works budget includes funding for two new dog parks, in Kangaroo Flat and California Gully, an Eaglehawk regional play space ($800,000) $100,000 toward replacing Sun Loong, and $100,000 for Christmas decorations.

A further $800,000 will be spent on the Albert Roy pavilion, while the QEO has been a big beneficiary of funding, with $250,000 slated for spectator shelters and $80,000 put towards designing netball change rooms at the facility.

About $10m of the overall operating costs of $163.3m will be spent on updating and maintaining our regions parks, $11.4m on roads and footpaths, $12.8m on community services, including aged and maternal care, and $6.4m toward capital venue and events.

DOG PARKS: A $58.4 capital works budget includes funding for two new dog parks, in Kangaroo Flat and California Gully, an Eaglehawk regional play space ($800,000).

City of Greater Bendigo's chief executive Craig Niemann said the capital spend had returned to normal levels following a $96m outlay last year.

“We had to grab those opportunities,” said Mr Niemann, announcing a 2 per cent rate rise for 2017/18 in line with state government rate-capping directions.

Mayor Margaret O’Rourke said a rate capping environment would make council more reliant on government funding for infrastructure projects.

Council has budgeted for $8.8m in grants in 2017/18, compared to the $31m it received last year.

The City of Greater Bendigo has budgeted for an operating surplus of $28.8m in 2017/18.